1882.] AFRICAN MUNGOOSES. 79 



II. HeLOGALE. rp 



Helogale, Gray, P. Z. S. 186 1, p. 308 H. parvida. 



Range. Mozambique to Natal. 



Toes 5— 5. Teeth, I. |, C. {, P.M. -|. M. | x2 = 36. Outlines 

 of skull more rouuded than in Herpestes, even in old specimens. 

 Underside of tarsus naked. Tail shorter than the body. Other 

 characters as in Herpestes. 



This genus was separated from the true Mungooses by Dr. Gray 

 on account of the presence of only three premolars in each jaw, 

 instead of four as normally possessed by Herpestes. It is true that 

 in that genus, as mentioned above, the first small premolar is fre- 

 quently absent ; but in these cases there is always a vacant space 

 where the tooth usually stands ; while in Helogale the tooth which 

 corresponds to the second premolar stands quite close to the canine, 

 leaving no diastema whatever. 



In addition to this character, the general shape of the skull is 

 quite diiferent from that of Herpestes, being shorter, broader in 

 proportion, the walls of the brain-case thinner, and all the surfaces 

 much smoother, with less well-marked muscular ridges. The figures 

 of the skull quoted in the synonymy below show the difference in 

 general appearence very well. 



The form of the teeth is, as Prof. Peters remarks, very similar to 

 that found in " Herpestes fasciatus," which likeness extends to the 

 other species of Crossarchus ; but the two genera may of course be 

 readily distinguished by the different shape of the skull, and by the 

 presence in Helogale of the distinct naked line from the nose to the 

 upper lip already referred to. 



The skulls and dentition of the two species of this genus seem to 

 be very much alike, though there is a slight difference in the size of the 

 last molars. 



1. Helogale parvula. 



'^■Herpestes parvulus, Sundev. (E(\. af Kongl. "\'et. Ak. Fdrhandl. 

 1846, p. 121. 



Helogale parvula, Gray, P. Z. S. 1861, p. 308 (woodcuts of skull). 



Hah. ^Rtal (Wahlberg). 



Size small, form slender ; tail rather shorter than the body without 

 the head. General colour above and below dark finely grizzled grey- 

 brown, the hairs annulated with black or brown and yellowish white. 

 Feet and tail like body but rather darker. No trace of rufous on 

 any part of the body. 



Last molar proportionally somewhat larger than in H. iindulata. 



Dental percentage 79-80. 



Bimensions. 



Head and body. Tail. Hiud loot. 



c. Natal (one of the types) .... 9*5 5".5 ]-5 



h. „ (Warwick) 8'3 46 — 



